March 2011

At a community event in South Park on March, 7 to thank those people who made the funding of a replacement bridge to the community, more people ended up on stage than were in the audience as King County Executive Dow Constantine gave all those he mentioned a special award.

Constantine and 8th Dist. King County Councilman Joe McDermott both spoke at the event

"Today was a great day with King County accepting the agreements with the city and the port in freeing up our own funds legally to be used for the bridge. In getting to open the bids tomorrow we will be reconnecting South Park with the rest of the community through the bridge, opening up the traffic and revitalizing the neighborhood, " said McDermott.

He was referring to the final permit being processed on Monday, which will permit bids to be opened for the project.

"There was a real failure last June when the bridge closed, and I think everyone's sorry that it got to that point at all, that redoubled efforts and commitment to make sure that we got to where we are today, to put together over $130 million to build the new bridge."

YAKIMA - Seattle Christian's quest for a trophy at Class 1A state ended with a 54-28 defeat at the hands of Connell on Friday, March 4, at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

The Eagles contained lanky 6-foot-2 junior post Katie Collier with double teams on defense and attacking tactics on offense that led to foul problems for the potential Division I recruit.

In the first half, Collier scored 15 points to keep the Warriors close at 24-22, but the Eagles shut her out in the second half as Seattle Christian shot poorly and committed uncharacteristic self-destructive mistakes while also falling into foul trouble.

Although SCS (21-7) shot poorly in the first half with a 26 per cent (6-for-23) performance from the field, it dropped off even more in the second half to 12 per cent (2-of-17) while only scoring six points in the final 16 minutes.

Connell used its defense to jump start the offense.

Putting a crimp in the Warriors' intentions was sharp-shooting Megan Booker, who scored a team-high 14 points, including 4-of-7 behind the three-point arc. Macy Whitby and Kayla Bjorge collaborated for five more three-pointers and 21 points.

TACOMA - Mount Rainier's excellent achievements in its first season at Class 4A girls basketball finally ended with a loser-out 46-41 loss to Lake Stevens at the Tacoma Dome on Friday, March 4.

Working with its usual ball movement, Mount Rainier (22-7) led 19-15 at halftime.

Turnovers, low shooting percentages and fouls began to take their toll in a tumultuous third quarter in which the Rams were outscored 17-4 -- including a 13-0 Viking run to begin the second half.

For the game, Mount Rainier committed 21 turnovers to Lake Stevens' 14. The Rams won the rebound battle, 42-38.

Second team All-Tournament player freshman Brittany McPhee scored 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds for Mount Rainier. Kiana Gandy earned eight points and nine rebounds.

Brooke Pahukoa scored 12 points for Lake Stevens.

TOURNAMENT TIDBITS: Mount Rainier had model teammates who shared independent fledgling model careers.

TACOMA - Sometimes small mistakes short-circuit monumental achievements.

After dictating the terms of battle for three quarters, the young and aggressive Mount Rainier girls' basketball team finally fell to Federal Way, 60-53, in a Thursday, March 3, Class 4A quarterfinal at the 2011 WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires state Hardwood Classic.

"The girls played well," Ram head coach Bob Bolam said. "We just weren't able take care of the ball and finish it off. When we made a little mistake, they'd go in for a lay in. Brittany McPhee played well again and Kiana Gandy did a good job of bodying up on Talia Walton. Our team did a good job of creating turnovers (16-11 first half, 32-20 for the game) and rebounding (18-6 first half, 34-20 for the game)."

Leading 47-45 early in the fourth quarter after freshman forward Brittany McPhee's two free throws, the running Rams of Des Moines (22-6) encountered a power outage that was initiated by the Eagles' Brittany Barrington in a Federal Way 13-2 run that sent Mount Rainier into the consolation bracket.

Art
Shelli Park-Burien artist who works in oil and also sumi ink/soft pastel on paper. Artwork on display at Normandy Park City Council Chambers, 801 S.W. 174th St. March 7-April 15. Sponsored by Normandy Park Arts Commission with financial contribution from commission member Robert Frey.
Exhibits
Highline Historical Society-- "Burien Families at Work and Play." Vintage photos showcase both business and leisure activities of Burien residents over the past century. Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W. Through April 30. Free. Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m.- 8 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Theater
Breeders Theater-"West," follows the fortunes of two Norwegian immigrant families from World War I to the start of the Great Depression. Written by T.M. Sell. March 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 with doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starting at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees March 13 and 20 with doors open at 1:30 p.m. and show at 2 p.m., E.B. Foote Winery, 127-B S.W. 153rd St. Tickets, $20, available at winery, 206-242-3852 or Corky Cellars, 22511 Marine View Dr., 206-824-9462.

March 11

More than a hundred people gathered Feb 7 to honor Burien's best citizens.

The annual Burien awards dinner and silent auction recognized five Burien residents with citizen awards.

The winners were Debra George, business leader; Maggie Larrick and Eric Dickman, community leaders; Michael Stein Ross, education leader and Brooks Stanfield, environmental leader.

George is co-owner of the Mark Restaurant in Olde Burien.

Larrick, former Times/News editor, is managing director of Burien Little Theatre. Dickman is the theatre's artistic director.

Stein-Ross teaches at St. Francis of Assisi School in Seahurst.

Stanfield organized the bike rodeo at least year's Burien Wild Strawberry Festival.

Former Meal Makers restaurant owner Kevin Fitz won the Robby award given annually by Robinson Newspapers to a person who has contributed to the betterment of the Burien community.

Rev. David A. Johnson was officially installed as senior pastor of Midway Community Covenant Church in Des Moines at the congregation's worship service on Sunday, Feb. 20th.

The service of installation was presided over by Rev. Mark Novak, superintendent of the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Pastor Johnson is a graduate of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and has served in various Evangelical Covenant churches since his ordination in 1997. He had been serving the Midway Community Covenant as interim pastor since January of 2010 before receiving this call to serve in the permanent role.

Two bills aimed at protecting families who are struggling to keep their homes cleared the state House of Representatives last week. The measures address thorny challenges confronting many homeowners in what observers are calling the Great Recession.

In the past two years, more than 77,000 families lost their homes to foreclosure in Washington. With those numbers in mind, state Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) authored HB 1362 - the Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011, which essentially encourages banks and homeowners to work together and explore alternatives to foreclosure.

"The awful reality we're learning all too well is that this isn't something that happens to other people. Thousands of families are at risk of losing their homes, we're talking about neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members; these are the new faces of foreclosure," said Orwall. "With this legislation, families will have a fair process and resources, such as housing counselors, to help them explore every option available and keep their homes whenever possible."

The giant book covers that have appeared on the windows around Burien are part of a book cover walking tour sponsored by the King County Library System. The book covers will be at various Burien locations through March.

With the poor economy delaying or even canceling construction contracts, there is one SeaTac project that may be completed four years ahead of the original schedule.

Sound Transit is planning to open a new light rail station at South 200th Street and International Boulevard in 2016. Originally it was scheduled to open in 2020.

An important impetus to the accelerated schedule is tight parking at the Tukwila light rail station at South 154th Street and Tukwila International Boulevard, according to King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson.
Sound Transit agreed to build a parking garage at the Tukwila station if the parking lot proved inadequate.

The Tukwila station is the only Sound Transit station currently that has a park 'n ride lot.

Ron Lewis, project director for the 200th Street station project, said a parking garage at Tukwila could cost $30-$40 million.

A new station at 200th would alleviate some of the parking problems in Tukwila.

Lewis said off-street parking at the new 200th station was originally planned for about 600 stalls. However, parking capacity could reach up to 1,000 stalls, according to Lewis.